I use a 7' Berkley Cherrywood medium action for both perch and walleye. You can get them at wallmartz for 20/25 dollars. Pair it with any medium sized open face reel. Could not be happier. Rod and reel for around $50.

 

6'6" Medium action with a 2500 size spinning reel will do the trick. I just picked up a spare combo at Cabelas that is on sale. Daiwa Revros combo. 49.99. The reel alone is regularly 50.00. Very nice combo at a great price. My go-to rods are St. Croix premier 6'6" Medium action with Shimano Symetre 2500 but you're going to be in the $250 range. Pfleuger president and trion combos are also good and under $100. 10# powerpro and you're in business

 

3/4 oz I'd go medium heavy. I personally use a bait caster for jigs that heavy.

 

Med action rod with a extra fast tip . I use a St Croix eyecon but am looking to get another set up that's similar, It works really good . I like the extra fast action so you don't jerk it away when you lift the jig . You get a extra millisecond to know they are there to allow us to follow they on the hook set . I think a lot of people use to stiff of a rod .

 

I also love the St. Croix Avid X in medium with extra fast tip that's 6'8" (AXS68MXF). I have several of each but that's my baby for jigging! Pair with Diawa Fuego 2500SH with Suffix 832 - 20# braid with 10ft leader of 17# Seaguar Abrasion resistant fluorocarbon joined with double uni knot so the union is in the spoil when netting the chubby ones. Yes...I'm a self admitted chubby chaser

 

I use 6' or so medium ugly stick rod with shimano spinning reel. I love the light rod tip with strong backbone.
Rickerd

 

I use G Loomis IMX 721 and 722, both 6'. Paired with Pflueger President and Shimano Sahara. I couple them with 6# Fireline and you can feel a fish fart as it swims by....

 

6'3" St Croix Eye Con. Xfast tip. Designed to do exactly what you are doing.

 

Agreed on the St. CROIX AVID X.

 

I'll check them out. I may just get another eyecon tho .

I see lots of people snap jigging and just hoping to luck out out and set the hook on the snap, but with the right rod and line ( braid and a short flouro leader) you most definitely feel em before they feel you and can react appropriately.
I'm not even sure ya need the flouro leader when it's prime jig bite time....but I know it doesn't hurt either .

 

I'll check them out. I may just get another eyecon tho .

I see lots of people snap jigging and just hoping to luck out out and set the hook on the snap, but with the right rod and line ( braid and a short flouro leader) you most definitely feel em before they feel you and can react appropriately.
I'm not even sure ya need the flouro leader when it's prime jig bite time....but I know it doesn't hurt either .

The only reason I use flouro leader is I snap jig Capt Jays blade baits often and the stiff leader helps hooks fowl much less than the limp braid. Not because they are seeing bait. Tight lining on the drop is key also.

 

I am a G Loomis guy. IMX 853 JWR with a Smoke 30 series 20# 832 suffix. I tie in a leader with a small swivel, typically 15-20 Seagur leader. Brahmabull is right about the stiffer leader helping out. This is an x fast tip with good backbone. My suggestion is to buy the best that you can afford. The good stuff last forever if you take care of it.

 

St. Croix Premier 6' and 6'6" Medium rods with fast tips. I match them with Pflueger Supreme XT reels and braid. I also use a 20 pound flouro leader. Like Brahmabull said I use it to keep the blade bait from foul hooking and also when jigging it keeps the stinger from getting tangled as well.

 

X5 on St Croix eyecon medium extra fast with braid and fluorocarbon leader. Shimano or pflueger reel. Have a pair for jigging and use them for perch all the time.

 

I use a 7' Berkley Cherrywood medium action for both perch and walleye. You can get them at wallmartz for 20/25 dollars. Pair it with any medium sized open face reel. Could not be happier. Rod and reel for around $50.

I am pretty sure I have one of those Berkley Cherrywood rods and I bought it in the 80's. And I think at Walmart! It is my favorite rod. Caught everything from 5" Goby to 14" perch to 5 lb bass to 14 lb walleye on that rod. Bet back then I got it for under $20. Not sure I can read exactly what model it is as it is covered with emerald shiner scales.

 

Lightning Rod and Phlueger President my best combo. Others are cheapo sale rigs. Line strength and how to use the drag is the key.

 

I am a G Loomis guy. IMX 853 JWR with a Smoke 30 series 20# 832 suffix. I tie in a leader with a small swivel, typically 15-20 Seagur leader. Brahmabull is right about the stiffer leader helping out. This is an x fast tip with good backbone. My suggestion is to buy the best that you can afford. The good stuff last forever if you take care of it.

I too am a G Loomis fan I have been using Loomis rods for 40 years and still use the first one I ever bought. All of my casting and jigging rods are 5'4" up to 6'3". I like medium action with fast and ultra fast tips. It's hard to find the medium action with ultra fast tips. I also like smaller reels, usually in the 1500 to 2000 size range. I love Daiwa Emblems spinning reels, in the 1500 and 2000 models but they don't make them for sale in the states anymore. I have a couple Okuma Helix spinning reels that are very light and have good feel to them. As for bait casting I prefer Shimano reels. These are combinations are the more expensive side $200 to $300 for the rods and the reels are in the $100 dollar range. When you pay that kind of money you tend to take better care of them. If any of you out there that know me please don't tell my wife what I pay for my fishing equipment. When it comes to casting and jigging rods and reels I go with the lightest strongest equipment that I can find. You don't want a giant reel with 1000 yards of line and an 8' long fiberglass buggy whip. You won't be able to cast all day long with those. The whole idea is to keep your bait in the water, where the fish are, for the most time.

 

Im a Loomis guy too. I use the GLX 6' and IMX 6' medium action with a Shimano Stradic 1000 and 1500 spooled with 14/6 fireline with a 6' Seagur 15lb flouro leader. I really like short rods for jigging and perch fishing and the smaller reel. You dont need a reel that holds 250 yds of 10 test. I normally put 12 mono as backing and 50 yards of fireline. Its an expensive rig but ya do it once and never need another plus the sensitivity is second to none. If they breathe on it you feel it. A plus also is the Loomis is guaranteed for life. Ive broken a few some my fault some rod failure and they always send me a free replacement. JMO

 

I prefer longer rods. I am 6'6"-7' guy, just feel that I can control a big fish a little easier with it, especially around antennas, troll motors, windshields, and all the other stuff we have on our rigs. I have also gone to all braid on my spinning/casting rods, Suffix 832. Just my preference. I also use both baitcasters and spinning, I have a couple of GLX casting rods that are going to be the right action for working shiver minnows this spring/summer.

 

Thanks a bunch for all the great replies. I checked out the St Croix eyecon medium extra fast. Great rod would have loved to buy it. I just couldn't bring myself to spending that much for a rod I am only going to use maybe 6 times a year at best.I went with
Plueger® President®/Cabela's Tourney Trail® Spinning Combo 6930/TTS663-1-PF $59.99 For that price I figure I got a good reel with a free rod.If I don't like it I can always upgrade to the Eyecon. Once again thanks for the help Youngblood

 

I prefer longer rods. I am 6'6"-7' guy, just feel that I can control a big fish a little easier with it, especially around antennas, troll motors, windshields, and all the other stuff we have on our rigs. I have also gone to all braid on my spinning/casting rods, Suffix 832. Just my preference. I also use both baitcasters and spinning, I have a couple of GLX casting rods that are going to be the right action for working shiver minnows this spring/summer.

in your opinion....is it too early to use the shiver minnows now? I bought a beuatiful selection and will be down there next Saturday...thanks for your advice

 

Yes sir, I think they will work great this time of year. just vary your cadence until they tell you what they want.